Gruff Rhys

Gruff Rhys is yet another confirmation that the Welsh are born musicians and that song pumps through their blood. Gruff’s interest in music really began to take shape after he taught himself to play the guitar incorrectly. You read that right. Despite being right-handed, Gruff learned to play on his brother’s left-handed guitar before switching over to a right-handed guitar, which he plays upside down. Casual. Despite the odd way he learned to play his main instrument, Gruff plays with mastery and his success with multiple bands as well as with his own solo work is attributed to this.

In addition to his impressive guitar work, Gruff is also an immensely skilled songwriter, author and filmmaker. Earlier this year Gruff Rhys arranged for the release of his newest album “American Interior” to be accompanied by a film, book and, last but not least, a mobile app. Far from a gimmick, this multi-format release instead builds up a landscape of Gruff’s artistic mind and each element serves as a compliment to the others.

See Gruff Rhys perform live and you’re in for a night of truly gorgeous music. It feels like each song is a tiny portion of Gruff’s brain, which he has served up in a perfectly presented musical package. Songs like “Lost Tribes” and “American Interior” will almost certainly leave their mark on you to such an extent that the minute he finishes playing, you’ll be dying to see him perform all over again.

Gruff Rhys is a welsh music genius, If any of his fans haven't seen him perform live yet boy trust me you dont know what your missing out on. I could watch him play live over and over, It's so great. Gruff's a genius with sound. I was there, The show was pure brilliant. I didn't know what to expect but he was pure class, I wasn't disappointed at all. The concerts just so brilliantly set up, Show was fantastic. Rhys brought the same fun to his lineup as his other Super Furry Animals shows. His backing band also kicked ass at the concert. Y Niwl opening act was pretty awesome also and brought a little edge to Rhys's solo work that definitely added a special touch to the show. Having personally owned some of his solo recordings and albums, I have to say that Rhys doesn't merely recreate the music you already hear on CD or MP3. When he gets on that stage It's stylistically different, the energy, and the atmosphere makes for a treat at the show. I will definitely be looking forward to another one of his concerts in the near future.

Brilliant gig.
Gweno was a brilliant support act with a slightly psycadelic edge and some almost haunting vocals At times.
The fact she was playing solo aswell was also amazing.
Gruff played the American Interior album in full with explanations, diagrams and jokes in between which really made the gig.
2 encores added even more to the enjoyment making it basically a 2 and a half hour set!
First time I'd been to the Brudnel social club aswell and its a great venue with great atmosphere.
10 out of 10!

Pure magic! Gruff is a wonderful singer and live interpreter of his own original, and sometimes wonderfully quirky, music. The small band - drums, keyboards and bass (and a little flute added in) were the perfect addition to make this "solo" show rock enough to dance. He played his entire new album, Babelsberg, straight through, and then finished off with a mix of older solo material and one or two Super Furry B-sides. Not to be missed!

Really enjoyed the movie .the soundtrack was amazing .and gruff rhys live set was outstanding .a really great night of sight and sound .brilliant .the film in black and white always kept you captivated .laugh out loud parts and quite sad in parts but never dull .the soundtrack played brilliantly after the movie ,and a great selection of gruff solo work was a delight .

Expect the unexpected. A documentary with songs. All the American Interior songs (thankfully omitting Whether the Weather) sounded great live. I thought Gruff didn't do encores until last night. I went along with it only to be rewarded with a further 8 songs. Mad! He's a true eccentric genius, and still writing great songs after nearly 20 years in the business. 10/10

There are simply not that many musicians with such a deftness of melody or who spend almost as much time playing as speaking (or pausing), telling such a tall story with such wit and who can hush a valleys crowd with the slightest of gasps ... as our very own Gruff Rhys. Great show, great album. Long may he continue to produce great shows and great albums.

"Concert" doesn't really do it justice. He gave a mixed media talk on a historical event -- but Gruff style - so lots of dry wit, beautiful songs and true heart. He talked very meaningfully about the life of John Evans, and you don't doubt him for a second, either in word or song.